Challenge Corner discussion

Acclaimed graphic artist Peter Kuper presents a brilliant, darkly comic reimagining of Kafka’s classic tale of family, alienation, and a giant bug. Kuper’s electric drawings—which merge American cartooning with German expressionism—bring Kafka’s prose to vivid life, reviving the original story’s humor and poignancy in a way that will surprise and delight readers of Kafka and graphic novels alike.

“A brilliant illustrated adaptation of Franz Kafka’s famous story. It’s a real pleasure to read and one in which everyone will recognize the existential drama and uncanny wit of the original text."—Susan Bernstein, associate professor of comparative literature and German studies, Brown University

Hey, I was planning on reading ! Would anyone be interested in joining me for the other stories as well? Otherwise I’ll join you for The Metamorphosis and read the other stories on my own.

9%
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I had to read this book for school at a relatively young age, and all I can remember is crying because it was too scary for me. Now I can see why! I am terrified of bugs, and a person turning into a bug is one of the creepiest ideas I’ve ever heard.

I didn’t realize at the time how funny the situation was, though. I mean, this guy turned into a bug, and his response is to think that if he can just manage to get out of bed, it will probably fix itself?? Lol.
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31% (finished part 1)
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Lmao this story is only getting funnier. Like when he though about whether the thing would happen to the head clerk one day, or that his standing at the company might be damaged. Of course it will be damaged, why does he keep thinking he can go back to work when he is a bug?

Poor Gregor, though. It sounds like he is injured in a lot of places now. And his room is going to get really gross if he bleeds all over it.
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63% (finished part 2)
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Eek, him crawling on the walls and ceiling and then jumping down to the floor! No wonder his family doesn’t like to see him! And his poor sister, taking care of a giant bug all by herself. Honestly, if I were in their situation I’m not sure I would conclude the bug was Gregor. I might just think he disappeared and somehow a giant bug got in... Idk, it would be really weird either way.
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Finished!
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That was a strange ending. I think it was implying that all along, Gregor had been making them worse off. After all, once he turned into a bug, they all got jobs they enjoyed and decided to move to an apartment they liked better. I don’t get why that was the moral when he had been providing for them the whole time.
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Caroline wrote: "Hey, I was planning on reading ! Would anyone be interested in joining me for the other stories as well? Otherwise I’ll join you for The Metamorp..."

I may join you depending on how I like this one. I'm behind but hope to start this today.

Charley Girl wrote: "I may join you depending on how I like this one. I'm behind but hope to start this today. "

Okay, let me know!

@Cristina
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Gregor’s family was a lot nicer than I would have been to a giant bug suddenly living in my apartment, lol! I know what you mean, though.
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Also, I got curious and looked up interpretations online, and (view spoiler)[I saw the idea that Gregor’s change actually represents depression or mental health issues. I felt like that explained a lot about the story. Like when Gregor kept thinking if he just ignored the problem it would go away, since it’s easy to think that about depression (especially from the outside). The ending also, where everyone was better off without Gregor, sounds like a common worry of suicidal people. I’m curious if anyone else interpreted it this way or what you think of that idea. (hide spoiler)]

23%
(view spoiler)[I've never read this book before and I added it quite awhile ago so I didn't remember anything about it. A bug? I thought it was a dream, but now he is going to try to go to work? With what pants? LOL! (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 (view spoiler)[I'm finding it funny & gross. The entire concept of poor Gregor turning into a bug is so ridiculous that I think that is funny. Feeding him and his insectness is gross to me. I don't like bugs. (hide spoiler)]

Caroline wrote: "Hey, I was planning on reading ! Would anyone be interested in joining me for the other stories as well? Otherwise I’ll join you for The Metamorp..."

I can't find this exact book. What other stories is in it?

Oh, it didn't occur to me the collection might be hard to find! That could definitely make it hard to BR!

Besides The Metamorphosis, it has A Message from the Emperor, The Judgment, The Stoker: A Fragment, In the Penal Colony, A Country Doctor, An Old Leaf, A Hunger Artist, Josephine the Singer, and Before the Law.

If you are able to find any of those, I would love to hear what you think of them! I especially liked In the Penal Colony and A Hunger Artist.

75%
(view spoiler)[ Gregor is freaking me out. The cleaning lady is killing me with the banging and whistling too. Does exactly what they tell her not to do. She is rude too. Poor Gregor! (hide spoiler)]
Part 3
(view spoiler)[ Hmmm...I dunno. It is a crazy story. I don't blame the family and kinda felt why Gregor would have stayed. It seems he'd be more comfortable somewhere else. (hide spoiler)]

@Charley Girl
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Yeah, why did he stay there so long? Surely he would have been more comfortable living in the wild or something? Good point.
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Caroline wrote: "Oh, it didn't occur to me the collection might be hard to find! That could definitely make it hard to BR!

Besides The Metamorphosis, it has A Message from the Emperor, The Judgment, The Stoker: A ..."

I didn't realize it was a dollar. I bought it and will request the BR now for today! Thanks Caroline!

Okay, great!